AMBASSADORS OF SUSTAINABILITY

For a hotel with purpose:

With projects like these, RIU, as well as other companies, will be able to generate positive change beyond the merely economic. The global economy must adapt to a new era in which the decision-making model has changed, because we can no longer live pending our income statement and turning our backs on the needs of society. It is our responsibility to look straight ahead, and in the eye, at all the environmental and social realities in which we have an influence, in order to put all our efforts into improving them.

The control and monitoring of consumption as the key to energy saving:

At RIU we are committed to environmental commitment and, at the same time, we work internally to implement the necessary measures to achieve the established sustainable development goals. In this sense, one of the most ambitious projects of the company as far as Energy is concerned was born. In addition to the creation of a specific department, in charge of defining the strategy to follow according to the requirements of today's world, we have started the implementation of a corporate energy monitoring system. Project that will be developed in the entire RIU hotel plant. In the first phase, all the main consumption of our hotels will be controlled, that is, all energy supply of any type (electricity, gas, fuel or water) of our hotels and resorts. Also adding all the own renewable production systems (solar thermal or photovoltaic) and those of high energy efficiency (such as geothermal or aerothermal). Adding that, in the new works and reforms that RIU continues to plan despite the pandemic, it is going one step further. In these new constructions, large consumers will also be controlled: kitchens, restaurants, industrial areas and specific machinery. With the company's total energy control, strategic decisions can be made regarding contracting and installation that are totally objective and in a unified manner. In addition to having high control over some critical areas in terms of energy savings; thus avoiding, for example, the consumption of light in areas where there is no one at certain times or being able to quickly locate water leaks. Adding that it will be much easier to define the maintenance and control of the efficiency of our machinery. In the same way, knowing the contractual characteristics (certificates of green origin) and the renewable production ratios of our energy suppliers, the calculation of emissions and carbon footprint will be entered into the platform. Being able to define the average emissions per customer in each of our establishments. All this with the final objective of being able to define the type of hotel model to be a world reference in the sustainable tourism sector.

The Artola Pediatric Clinic, an example of an alliance between the Social Security of Costa Rica and RIU hotels:

Existen necesidades que se pueden cubrir de manera más rápida y eficaz, solo cuando se suman las voluntades de los actores involucrados. Tal es el caso de la implantación y operación de la Clínica de Artola en Costa Rica, que es un claro ejemplo de lo que pueden lograr esta clase de alianzas (público-privadas) para mejorar las comunidades y generar bienestar en las personas. Esta clínica pediátrica impulsada por RIU Hotels & Resorts con la colaboración de la Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS), cumplió en septiembre de 2021 dos años de operación con un impacto muy positivo en la atención de las necesidades de la población del cantón de Carrillo, Guanacaste. Desde su inauguración, este centro médico ha atendido a 1.153 niños, niñas y adolescentes de entre 0 y 14 años en 3.393 consultas, principalmente con tratamientos enfocados en la prevención y control de afecciones en vías respiratorias, gastrointestinales y dermatológicas. Con un promedio mensual de 150 consultas, de todos los pacientes, 115 menores fueron referenciados a una especialidad a un hospital de la zona. Una encuesta realizada a los usuarios de la clínica para conocer sus opiniones sobre el servicio, permitió establecer que el 90% de los usuarios aseguraron estar “muy satisfechos”. En su totalidad, todos están “muy de acuerdo” (55%) o “de acuerdo” (45%) en que este centro médico ha contribuido a mejorar el estado de salud de los niños de la zona. The families of the patients also highlight its accessibility as the main advantage, since it prevents them from having to travel to other more distant care centers. Likewise, they highly appreciate the specialized care, since before it opened, children were cared for by general practitioners and not by specialized pediatricians. They also highlight the savings that this medical center has meant for their families, as it is a free service that prevents them from having to attend private consultations and in places far from their homes. On the other hand, together with ESCP Business School, an academic partner of RIU's CSR and an ally in social issues, the results of the survey on possible improvements in the medical service were analyzed. Users indicated that they believe that medical care could be extended to the elderly population, they also requested to have a pharmacy, have a laboratory and accredit the "injectables" service. Among other aspects, the interviews confirmed the need to offer follow-up by specialists in nutrition, oral health and psychology. In addition to the launch of awareness campaigns on nutrition, sexual health or vaccination. The purpose of all this field work carried out by the RIU and ESCP Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) team is to analyze the needs of the local community and manage with the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) and other health authorities. local, the possibility of incorporating new services in the short or medium term that improve the quality of life of the population. In the tourism sector it used to be believed, not long ago, that this type of alliances were exclusive to the public sector and third sector organizations or civil society. However, projects like this one show that companies from the private sphere can assume roles of greater prominence and not only as observers, since in addition to ensuring the profitability of the business they have the responsibility to look and contribute more to the development of the communities if They want to stay with it for the long term.

Working together to restore the coastal ecosystems of Sal, Cabo Verde

Think about your last beach vacation. Imagine the warm glow of the sun on your face, the relaxing sound of the waves crashing on the shore, in the best way to restore the mind, body and spirit. But there's another essential piece of scenery you might not remember: the presence (or absence) of rolling sand dunes just behind you. Although often considered simply the backdrop for a nice day at the beach, sand dunes play an important role in maintaining healthy coastal ecosystems. Not only do they serve as a home to many unique species of plants and terrestrial wildlife, but they are also instrumental in protecting inland areas from flooding and storms. Sand dunes also serve as an essential barrier against light pollution from coastal developments, which can deter sea turtles from nesting, as well as disorient hatchlings when nesting, ultimately affecting their survival. Unfortunately, in high-tourism destinations like the island of Sal in Cape Verde, coastal ecosystems are under increasing pressure due to urbanization, sand mining, and unregulated vehicle use throughout the dune area. The iconic stretch of beach known as Costa Fragata is no exception. A hotspot for wind and kitesurfing, it is also home to a host of native and endemic plants, many of which are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It also provides essential habitat for the endangered loggerhead turtle, which comes ashore to nest from June through October. Increased tourism activities that degrade the area, such as quad biking and unregulated wildlife tours, have left this ecosystem severely depleted and unable to recover without human intervention to conserve it. The success of that intervention depends on many factors, but the most important is a small but robust shrub called the Senegalese tamarisk, known locally as Tarrafe. Like many coastal plants, it adapts well to dry and windy environments: it grows close to the ground to reduce sand movement in high winds, and its robust root system allows continued growth even when parts are uprooted. In Cape Verde it is so emblematic that many areas of the archipelago bear the name of the plant (Tarrafal). This species has a very important role in coastal ecosystems as it helps to build and strengthen large dunes. On Sal, it was traditionally used for firewood before the development of the island, which led to a drastic reduction in its population. As a result, it is now a protected species. Together with our partners, the RIU hotels, Protected Areas and the Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment, we established an initiative to reintroduce Tarrafe into local ecosystems, through the creation of a plant nursery on the beach of the Riu Palace Santa María . With the help of staff, local authorities and hotel visitors, we have planted more than 200 specimens. Once they have reached a suitable size, we will replant them along the coast to support the regeneration of local dune ecosystems. However, these dune ecosystems can only thrive if both residents and visitors maintain the integrity of the ecosystems. So what does this mean for the beach vacation you're planning? First, it is important to follow the designated paths and avoid trampling the dunes and vegetation just behind the beach. If you plan to go on a quad bike or any other vehicle, make sure the company conducts tours responsibly and also follows the designated paths, and don't forget to leave the beach as you found it, or even clean it up. Nature will thank you.